Traffic ticket book holder

ABSTRACT

A traffic ticket book holder with a generally rectangular shape, secured to an outer garment and to a user with an upper arm and a shoulder, having a main body with an upper edge, having an inner compartment opening used for carrying ticket books, tickets or medical supplies. There is also a front cover with a top and a bottom portion that releasably seals the inner compartment opening and an outer pocket on the bottom portion of the front cover to hold miscellaneous items. There is also a protective flap attached to the upper edge of the main body that overlaps the top of the front cover, a shoulder strap to attach the traffic ticket book holder to the outer garment of the user, a flexible arm strap to secure the traffic ticket book holder to the upper arm of the user and an arm adjustment piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/398,598, filed Jul. 26, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a traffic ticket book holder forcarrying items on the arm of a user. More specifically, it relates to adevice to be worn by a law enforcement officer on the arm for carryingtraffic tickets and ticket books.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Many professionals and athletes require people to write ticketsor carry important documentation or equipment as part of their work orperformance. Many of these professionals must also be physically readyto quickly perform a task at a moment's notice. Devices that attachimportant documentation and equipment to a variety of professionals arealso well-known in the related art.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 956,534 issued to Lahey, is a device worn on thewrist or arm of a user and is positioned to retain a memo pad. Thedevice holds the memo pad and is designed particularly for use bywaiters, the memo pad being easily secured to a waiter's forearm nearthe wrist, so as to leave the waiter's hands free, while at the sametime holding the memo pad always in a convenient position for writingorders.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,106 issued to Connell et al., relates to abody supported printed surface in general, and more specifically, to athin, flexible ski area map holder, which is easily attached to askier's limb and provides a safe convenient view of an appropriate map.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,019 issued to Curley, Jr., describes acarrier for portable audio devices that is retained around a user's arm.This device has an armband with two inflatable chambers that fits aroundthe contour of a user's arm. A receptacle is also attached to thearmband for holding a portable audio device.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,347 issued to Phelps, is a wrist holster forcarrying a gas canister. The holster is retained by a Velcro striplooped through a buckle and folded back on to itself. The invention,however, does not offer a method of preventing the holster from slidingalong the forearm of a user.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,917 issued to Tourigny, relates to an articleto be worn on the arm of a user for displaying a map or other document.The display article is formed from a pair of flexible panels joinedalong three edges and is selectively sealable and unsealable by the useralong a fourth edge. The panels define a pocket for receiving the map orother document to be displayed. One of the panels provides a transparentwindow through which the map or document may be viewed.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,633 issued to Leinberger, outlines the use ofa document holder during outdoor activities which do not normally leavethe hands free to hold a document. The document holder has a pluralityof flexible members joined together to form a pouch with a clear orotherwise see-through sheet, such as a mesh material, thereby allowingthe document to be viewed.

[0012] Although the outlined patents describe various carrierapparatuses attachable to a user's body, none disclose any inventionsthat pertain to law enforcement officers. In the law enforcementprofession, there is a need for an apparatus to carry such things asbooklets of traffic tickets that are easily accessible, but are out ofthe way when sudden access to items such as weapons, batons, andhandcuffs are necessary. Such an apparatus would be very valuable to lawenforcement officers and would be in great demand in the marketplace.

[0013] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly orin combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention is a traffic ticket book holder with a generallyrectangular shape, secured to an outer garment and to a user with anupper arm and a shoulder, having a main body with an upper edge, havingan inner compartment opening used for carrying ticket books and tickets,a front cover with a top and a bottom portion, that releasably seals theinner compartment opening and an outer pocket on the bottom portion ofthe front cover to hold miscellaneous items. There is also a protectiveflap attached to the upper edge of the main body that overlaps the topof the front cover, a shoulder strap to attach the traffic ticket bookholder to the outer garment of the user, a flexible arm strap to securethe traffic ticket book holder to the upper arm of the user and an armadjustment piece to provide for varying arm sizes.

[0015] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide a traffic ticket book holder that frees up the hands of lawenforcement personnel wearing the traffic ticket book holder duringphysical activity.

[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide a user wearing atraffic ticket book holder easy access to tickets and a traffic ticketbook.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to prevent a traffic ticketbook holder from sliding down the arm of an officer wearing the trafficticket book holder.

[0018] Still another object of the invention is to provide a trafficticket book holder with a quick release safety feature.

[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is provide a trafficticket book holder that is lightweight and still able to carry thevarious tickets and forms that a law enforcement officer might need.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to have a trafficticket book holder that blends in with a law enforcement officer'suniform and maintains a professional look.

[0021] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements andarrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which isinexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing itsintended purposes.

[0022] These and other objects of the present invention will becomereadily apparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a traffic ticket book holderaccording to the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a traffic ticket book holder.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a partially open trafficticket book holder.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a traffic ticket book holderthat is in a fully open position.

[0027]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an isolated shoulder strapused with a traffic ticket book holder.

[0028]FIG. 6 is an environmental perspective side view of a trafficticket book holder being worn by a user.

[0029]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of atraffic ticket book holder.

[0030]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of atraffic ticket book holder.

[0031]FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment of atraffic ticket book holder.

[0032]FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a shoulder harness usedwith a traffic ticket book holder.

[0033]FIG. 11 is an environmental side perspective view of the shoulderharness depicted in FIG. 10, used with a traffic ticket book holder.

[0034] Similar reference characters denote corresponding featuresconsistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present invention is directed to a traffic ticket book holder10 for law enforcement personnel that can be attached to the upper armof an officer. FIG. 1 discloses a lightweight traffic ticket book holder10 that is easily accessible yet out of the way when attached to aparking enforcement officer. The currently used traffic ticket bookholders are not user friendly as they tend to be bulky, heavy and madeof metal. With the size and weight of the current traffic ticket bookholders, law enforcement officers are unable to carry them on theirperson.

[0036] A law enforcement officer carries standard issued equipmentmainly on their belt. This equipment usually comprises a flashlight, abaton, a radio and handcuffs. With the belt cluttered with the standardequipment, there is no room to attach a traffic ticket book holder.

[0037] As is also depicted in FIG. 1, the traffic ticket book holder 10has a generally rectangular shape. The main body 21 defines an innercompartment 70 that carries a number of traffic ticket books and tickets(not shown) and a front cover 18 that releasably seals the innercompartment 70. In this view, a shoulder strap 76 is shown attached tothe traffic ticket book holder 10. A protective flap 14 is attachedalong an upper edge of the main body 21 to protect against variousweather conditions and overlaps the top of the front cover 18. The frontcover 18 has a fixed portion of a clip 15 affixed to it and an outerpocket 24 for miscellaneous items.

[0038] A flexible arm strap 13 is provided to secure the traffic ticketbook holder 10 to the upper arm of a police officer. One end of theflexible arm strap 13 is attached to the right lateral side 89 of thetraffic ticket book holder 10. The flexible arm strap 13 is attached tothe upper arm of the parking enforcement officer and prevents anyunwanted movement of the traffic ticket book holder 10. The flexible armstrap 13 may be manufactured of stretchable material to provide a snugfit around the upper arm of the police officer or user. One opposing endof the flexible arm strap 13 is attached to an arm adjustment piece 11.The flexible arm strap 13 further prevents the traffic ticket bookholder 10 from dislodging when brushed up against something.

[0039] The arm adjustment piece 11 has a surface with a plurality ofspaced apart snap buttons 29 to engage with recessed buttons (not shown)on a releasable portion 12 of the snap clip 16. The arm adjustment piece11 is readily accessible to the officer to reattach any of the rows ofbuttons 29 with recessed buttons of the releasable portion 12 of thesnap clip 16. Thus the arm adjustment piece 11 provides for varying armsizes. The officer or user then can easily adjust the flexible arm strap13 for comfort without cutting off blood circulation and providingenough tension to secure the traffic ticket book holder 10 to the arm ofa user. The arm adjustment piece 11 can be designed as various differentmechanisms so long as an adjustment of the flexible arm strap 13 isallowed to conform to the size of the user's arm and retain the trafficticket book holder 10 in an attached position.

[0040] The releasable portion of the clip 12, when engaged with thefixed portion 15, together make up the snap clip 16. The fixed portion15 is attached to the front cover 18 and the snap clip 16 can bedetached when the sides 15 a of the fixed portion 15 are depressed. Thesnap clip 16 is a pressure sensitive latch that is both easily lockedand unlocked to allow for an easy release.

[0041] The snap clip 16 can also be provided with a safety releasefeature that allows the officer or user to quickly remove the trafficticket book holder 10 from the arm of an officer or user, withoutdepressing the snap clip 16 when necessary. The snap clip 16 can bedesigned to remain locked until a predetermined load is applied. In anemergency, the officer simply yanks or applies the predetermined load onthe traffic ticket book holder 10 and the snap clip 16 disengages, thusallowing the traffic ticket book holder 10 to be removed quickly.

[0042] Typically to write out a citation, an officer must specificallyrecite the exact infraction of the law. These infractions or violationsare contained in an offense specific book (not shown). This offensespecific book can easily be carried in the front pocket 24 of thetraffic ticket book holder 10. A portion of the front pocket 24 may bemade of elastic material to allow for easier access. FIG. 1 discloses afront pocket 24 on the exterior of the front cover 18. Additionalcompartments may also be provided on the front cover 18 and on the mainbody 21.

[0043]FIG. 2 shows an upper rear fastener 30 located on the rear surface19 of the main body 21 of the traffic ticket book holder 10. The upperrear fastener 30 mates with the opposing hook and loop fastener 78 tofurther secure the traffic ticket book holder 10 to the uniform of theofficer. FIG. 2 shows the upper rear fastener 30 mated with the shoulderstrap 76.

[0044] The officer releases a protective flap 14 from the front cover 18via a flap fastener 38 and an upper front cover fastener 42. Asmentioned previously, the protective flap 14 acts as a covering thatprotects the inner contents of the traffic ticket book holder 10 frominclement weather such as rain and snow. Zipper heads 46 are unzippedand lateral sides 90 of the main body 21 detach from the front cover 18as shown in FIG. 3.

[0045] The front cover 18 has an upper foldable portion 20 that folds atcrease 102 for access to the identification pocket 66 and to thecitations in the ticket compartment 70. As shown in FIG. 4, theidentification pocket 66 has a window 68, so that when the offender'sidentification is placed in the pocket 66, the officer may easily copythe information from the identification to the ticket. For furtheraccess to the ticket compartment 70, the front cover 18 can be fullyopened as depicted in FIG. 4.

[0046] The main body 21 is designed to structurally define the ticketcompartment 70 to accommodate multiple ticket booklets and retain theshape of the ticket compartment 70. Here a sleeve 110 is provided tomaintain the integrity of the ticket compartment 70 and to retain anymultiple ticket booklets. The ticket compartment 70 may also havemultiple sub compartments or pockets (not shown) to further organize thevarious types of tickets and multiple ticket booklets, as well as othermiscellaneous items.

[0047] The front cover 18 further defines the ticket compartment 70. Thefront cover 18 opens and closes the ticket compartment 70 with zipperheads 46. Two separate zipper heads 46 are used along two separatezipper tracks 50 that cover the right lateral side 89 and the leftlateral side 90. The main body 21 is provided with a handle 44, asdepicted in FIG. 4. The handle 44 is looped through the zipper ends. Thehandle 44 allows the drawstring to be looped through the zipper. Bypulling on the handle 44 portion of the traffic ticket book holder 10,the traffic ticket book holder 10 can be closed. The handle 44 isconcealed along the area between the upper side 98 and the protectiveflap 14 when the traffic ticket book holder 10 is in a closed position.The upper side 98 may also be spaced slightly below the upper edges ofthe right lateral side 89 and the left lateral side 90 and the rearsurface 19. This provides an area to accommodate the handle 44.

[0048]FIG. 5 depicts a shoulder strap 76, which has a hook and loop typefastener 78 on an exterior surface that faces the rear surface 19 andreleasably attaches with the upper fastener 30 located on the upperportion of the rear surface 19. The shoulder strap 76 also has ashoulder ring 74 to engage with the shoulder flap of the uniform. Theshoulder flap of the uniform is looped through ring 74 and is buttonedto the uniform in the usual manner. By clasping the shoulder strap 76 tothe shoulder flap of the uniform in this manner, the traffic ticket bookholder 10 is prevented from sliding along the arm of the officer. Theshoulder strap 76 and the opposing hook and loop fasteners 78 and 30 canbe of any size depending on a predetermined load to remove the trafficticket book holder 10 from the opposing hook and loop fasteners 78 and30. The shoulder strap 76 may optionally be left on the uniform when thetraffic ticket book holder 10 is not in use or when the uniform is beinglaundered. The shoulder ring 74 retains the shoulder strap 76 on theshoulder flap to prevent any sliding along the shoulder flap.

[0049]FIG. 6 also discloses the shoulder strap 76 and an armband 82 onthe arm of the officer, with the traffic ticket book holder 10 attachedin a closed position. The flexible armband 82 is fitted around the armof the officer and is independent of the traffic ticket book holder 10.

[0050] Nearly all law enforcement paramedic and military uniforms, haveshoulder flaps located on the opposing shoulders of their uniform. Theofficer's police number can be placed here or it can be used to displayany recognition or awards. One feature of the traffic ticket book holder10 is that it attaches to the shoulder flap while still allowing theshoulder flap to be used in the usual manner. By utilizing the shoulderflap, the traffic ticket book holder 10 is secured to an officer's arm,thus freeing up the officer's hands and preventing the traffic ticketbook holder 10 from sliding down the arm of the officer.

[0051] When the officer desires access to the contents of the trafficticket book holder 10, he or she simply unlatches the snap clip 16 andpulls the traffic ticket book holder 10 away from his or her arm. Theupper rear fastener 30 and the lower rear fastener 34 then detach fromthe opposing hook and loop fastener 78.

[0052] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the traffic ticket book holder 10 isfastened to the upper arm of an officer or user. To reattach the trafficticket book holder 10, the officer simply attaches the opposing hook andloop fasteners 78 and the arm fastener 86 with the upper rear fastener30. Flexible arm straps 13 are then wrapped around the arm of the user,and the releasable snap portion 12 is once again engaged with the fixedportion of the clip 15. In this manner, a police officer is able tocarry citations with easy access, while also freeing the officer's handsfor quick action.

[0053] It is further appreciated that in cold weather, the trafficticket book holder 10 can be secured to the exterior of a sweater orcoat. The arm adjustment piece 11 can be adjusted to accommodate asweater or jacket. Also law enforcement sweaters and coats typicallyhave a shoulder flap, so the shoulder strap 76 can still be utilized insecuring the traffic ticket book holder 10 to an officer's uniform.

[0054] Various materials may be used in the manufacture of the trafficticket book holder 10. Any material that is resistant to wear and thatcan hold up in various weather conditions is preferable. Nylon may beone of many materials used in the manufacture of the traffic ticket bookholder 10.

[0055] In another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 7, the traffic ticketbook holder 10 is secured to the arm of a user by a single flexiblestrap 22. The flexible arm strap 22 is attached to the rear surface 19and is wrapped around the arm of the officer so as to comfortably securethe traffic ticket book holder 10. The arm strap 22 has a free end 23that is fed through a buckle 26, which is then tightened and folded backand secured with hook and loop fasteners 25 and 27 located near the freeend 23 of the arm strap 22. In this manner, a police officer can releasethe traffic ticket book holder 10 by pulling on the free end 23 torelease the arm strap 22. One skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe fixed end of the arm strap 22 can also be attached to the frontcover 18 instead of the main body 21.

[0056] Also in this embodiment, a zipper track 50 runs continuouslyalong the upper side 97, lateral side 89, and the bottom side 98. Inthis manner, only one zipper head 46 is used to open and gain access tothe ticket compartment 70. It will be appreciated that with this designthere is no need for the drawstring 54 or its related parts. In thisembodiment, a protective flap 14 is pivotally hinged along the upperedge, where the front cover 18 meets the upper side 97, so as to shieldthe outside pocket 24.

[0057]FIG. 8 depicts another preferred embodiment of the traffic ticketbook holder 10. The front cover 18 has a loop portion of a hook and loopfastener 25. The arm strap 22 has a hook end of a hook and loop fastener27 located at the free end of the strap 23 so as to couple with the loopportion of the hook and loop fastener 25. To remove the traffic ticketbook holder 10, the free end of the strap end 23 is unlatched from theloop portion of the hook and loop fastener 25 and the traffic ticketbook holder 10 is detached. For reattachment, the opposing hook and loopfastener 78 and upper rear end fastener 30 are mated and the arm strap22 is longitudinally wrapped around the arm of the officer and securedto the front cover 18.

[0058]FIG. 9 is a rear view of another embodiment of the traffic ticketbook holder 10. This embodiment is different from the previousembodiments in that the arm strap 22 is secured to the rear surface 19of the traffic ticket book holder 10. Additionally, the first end 28 ofthe arm strap 22 is partially exposed with a hook and loop fastener 25to act as a latching tab with the strap fastener 27 of the free end ofthe strap 23. Once again a lower fastener may be placed below the armstrap 22 on the rear surface 19. In this manner, the arm strap 22 doesnot wrap around or attach to the front cover 18. The traffic ticket bookholder 10 is secured to the user's arm but also allows access to thecontents in the ticket compartment 70, without having to remove thetraffic ticket book holder 10 from the officer's or user's arm.

[0059]FIG. 10 discloses another embodiment of the shoulder strap 76. Inthis embodiment, the shoulder strap 76 substantially extends the lengthand width of the rear surface 19. Likewise, the opposing hook and loopfastener 78 extends substantially over the exposed surface of theopposing hook and loop fastener 78. However, the opposing hook and loopfastener 78 may optionally extend along portions of the surface of theshoulder strap 76. With the upper rear fastener 30 of the traffic ticketbook holder 10 substantially extending over the rear surface 19, thetraffic ticket book holder 10 will be secured when attached to theshoulder strap 76. Thus the holder strap 71 may optionally be omitted.The shoulder strap 76 may be made of slightly more rigid material tofurther prevent unwanted movement of the traffic ticket book holder 10.At the upper section of the shoulder strap 73 is a section of softmaterial to conform to the contour of the shoulder of the officer foradditional comfort.

[0060] There is also an arm tab 79 that has a tab fastener 75 thatreleasably mates with the free end fastener 77 of the arm strap 72. Thearm strap 72 has an arm fastener 86 rigidly secured along the edge ofthe right shoulder 83. The arm strap 72 wraps around the upper arm ofthe officer to secure the shoulder strap 76 to the arm. The holder strap71 wraps around the traffic ticket book holder 10 to prevent dislodgingfrom the attached position. The holder strap 71 is releasably secured toholder tab 81 via holder tab fastener 80 and holder tab fastener 84.

[0061]FIG. 11 discloses another embodiment of the shoulder strap 76 inFIG. 10, with another embodiment of the traffic ticket book holder 10 ina closed position. The shoulder strap 76 affords the ability of accessto the ticket compartment 70 without removing the traffic ticket bookholder 10. To remove the traffic ticket book holder 10, the holder strap71 is unlatched from the holder tab fastener 80 and the traffic ticketbook holder 10 is pulled away from the shoulder strap 76.

[0062] The traffic ticket book holder 10 has access to the ticketcompartment 70 along the upper end of the traffic ticket book holder 10.The front cover 18 is rigidly secured to and is part of the main body21. The upper side 97 is now opened to allow access to the ticketcompartment 70 with no zippers being utilized. Instead, the protectiveflap 14 is the sole mechanism to open and close the ticket compartment70.

[0063] The traffic ticket book holder 10 can be used by otherprofessionals such as security guards, military personnel andfirefighters. The traffic ticket book holder 10 need not be solely usedfor tickets. For example, the traffic ticket book holder 10 can be usedto carry a two-way radio or a homing device to track the position of anindividual. This may be advantageous when entering a building andgetting the position of military personnel in a battle zone or maneuversout in the field.

[0064] It can be appreciated to one skilled in the related art that thetraffic ticket book holder 10 may be secured to the arm of the policeofficer in many different ways and have the armbands secured in variousplaces using various methods. Fastening the shoulder flap of a user'suniform may be accomplished using various devices and methods. Forexample, instead of the shoulder ring 74, the shoulder strap 76 couldhave a hole (not shown) to loop the shoulder flap through to attach tothe uniform and utilize a releasable buckle (not shown) to secure thetraffic ticket book holder 10 instead of hook and loop type fasteners.Also the traffic ticket book holder 10 may have only one zipper head 46for opening the ticket compartment 70. The traffic ticket book holder 10could also be designed in various ways. This and other variations of theinvention are within the scope of the present invention.

[0065] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limitedto the sole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A traffic ticket book holder with a generally rectangularshape, secured to an outer garment and to a user with an upper arm and ashoulder, comprising: a main body with an upper edge, having an innercompartment opening used for carrying ticket books and tickets; a frontcover with a top and a bottom portion, that releasably seals the innercompartment opening; an outer pocket on the bottom portion of the frontcover to hold miscellaneous items; a protective flap attached to theupper edge of the main body that overlaps the top of the front cover; ashoulder strap to attach the traffic ticket book holder to the outergarment of the user; a flexible arm strap to secure the traffic ticketbook holder to the upper arm of the user; and an arm adjustment piece toprovide for varying arm sizes.
 2. The traffic ticket book holderaccording to claim 1, wherein the shoulder strap uses a hook and loopfastener and releasable buckle to attach the traffic ticket book holderto the outer garment of the user.
 3. The traffic ticket book holderaccording to claim 1, wherein the flexible arm strap is made ofstretchable material.
 4. The traffic ticket book holder according toclaim 1, wherein the traffic ticket book holder is releasably secured toa user using a snap clip.
 5. The traffic ticket book holder according toclaim 4, wherein the snap clip is provided with a safety releasefeature.
 6. The traffic ticket book holder according to claim 1, whereinthe traffic ticket book holder is releasably attached to the user usinga shoulder strap and a hook and loop fastener.
 7. The traffic ticketbook holder according to claim 1, wherein the traffic ticket book holderis releasably attached to the user using an armband and an armbandfastener.
 8. The traffic ticket book holder according to claim 1,wherein the traffic ticket book holder is releasably attached to theuser using a single flexible strap and hook and loop fasteners.
 9. Thetraffic ticket book holder according to claim 1, wherein anidentification pocket and window are used to hold identification inplace.
 10. The traffic ticket book holder according to claim 1, whereinzipper heads and zipper tracks are used to open and close the frontcover.
 11. The traffic ticket book holder according to claim 1, whereina handle is used to open and close the front cover.
 12. The trafficticket book holder according to claim 1, wherein the traffic ticket bookholder is used to carry a two-way radio.
 13. The traffic ticket bookholder according to claim 1, wherein the traffic ticket book holder isused to carry a homing device.
 14. The traffic ticket book holderaccording to claim 1, wherein the traffic ticket book holder is used tocarry medical supplies.